User Reviews

Been passing by this joint for over 20 years. Finally dropped in to eat tonight (went there once this past summer, just for a pint). This place is the first joint you'll see once you drive in to the Crest from Cape May, or it's the last place before leaving town. Depends.

Well-known to be a locals place with an older crowd. Sports bar sort of atmosphere. Dozen or more TVs, small packaged goods store attached. Main bar area, rectangular. Dining area up front off to the sides. Limited outdoor seating during the summer. A few tables close to the bar. Definitely hard to get a seat during the summer. Election Day night right after happy hour, no different.

Food is slightly above average pub fare with some diner leanings. Didn't get a good count, but there's about 15-20 beers on tap, another 15-20 in bottle. You'd think this'd be an odd spot to see Duchess or 120 Min in bottle, but there they is. Tap prices are not at all expensive. Had a Weyerbacher Insanity with a pseudo-Reuben grouper sandwich. Followed that with a pint of some Kane Brewing single hop session IPA. The barleywine was a bit dirty, but tasty (as always), while the IPA was a nice after meal refresher, served in a clean-ass shaker that laced thick top-to-bottom.

Service was pleasant enough. The beer options will bring me back again for sure, despite some of the yahoos sitting at the bar. Not bad for this little corner of this shore town.

I went to The Crest Tavern while on vacation in Wildwood. Bar was full with Yankees fans watching the big game vs. the Red Sox which made the atmosphere very united. The bar building is a decent size with plenty of room to stand around and be comfortable. Ordered nachos and a burger which were both delicious! Also looked around and noticed several dishes that looked appetizing as well. The beer selection is also very good for the area. Had several great craft brews available. Bartender was a nice guy as was the waitress. Overall a nice night out and will go again when I'm back in Wildwood.

I REALLY wanted to love this place. I checked the website and happy hour is from 2-6. I arrived at 5:04. When I asked about happy hour, I was told it ends at 5. I mentioned the website and just got a shrug of the shoulders from the waitress. Ok, I move on...I ordered a Founders Centennial IPA. When I got my beer, it was a Yuengling Lager. I informed my server who looked at me incredulously. I insist I know the difference between a lager and IPA. She takes it and replaces it with the correct brew. I asked about the bottles, and was told "we have lots, what do you want?" I considered asking for 120, Darklord, KtG, Pliny, etc...but really they not have a bottle list or even a display or glass fronted refrigerators...nothing! Overall, I was disappointed. They had a great selection for Wildwood, but I was certainly less than satisfied with my visit.

I have always liked this friendly neighborhood tavern but on my latest visit I was pleasantly surprised to find out they had REAL CASK ALE on tap! The tasty brew was made by Flying Fish and I must say the fresh natural taste was awesome! I have drank cask conditioned ale before in Philly and NYC but never seen it at the shore. Way to go Crest Tavern! They always have a an excellent and varied selection of craft beers, great food, and 17 T.V.s to watch all the games you want! The prices are very reasonable (not a tourist trap) and the staff is fun and friendly. Now, serving CASK ALE, gives me one more reason to love it! I can't wait to go back!

Fitzpatrick's is at the southern end of Wildwood Crest, in a fairly upscale neighborhood, and it has much of that mood to it. It has a busy liquor store attached to it and a covered outside patio area. Although the bar has only been in business for a few years, it seems like it's been there forever. It's kind of a sports bar, with a lot of games on overhead televisions. It's also kind of a neighborhood bar, with a lot of regulars. But it seems like a place that warms slowly to newcomers. The clientele tends to be in their 40's, 50's and 60's.

There are about 15 taps, a few of which are venturesome craft selections (like Lancaster Strawberry Wheat, which they were pouring the last time I was in), but many of which are "safe" selections like Sam Adams and Guiness. The food is fairly good and the prices aren't bad. The service is efficient, if a little frosty.

There is certainly nothing wrong with Fitzpatrick's, and if you're in the neighborhood you might want to stop in.

But to be honest, if the weather's nice, you might prefer the more laid back "Florida Keys" atmosphere of the Harbor View Restaurant's outdoor waterside bar. It's about a 5 minute drive south of Fitzpatrick's down Pacific Avenue (which becomes Ocean Drive), passing some beautiful marshes and marinas. It comes up on the left after a small toll bridge. The Harbor View outdoor bar has a much better craft beer selection and far friendlier severs and customers than Fitzpatrick's. Plus a panoramic view, nice breezes, and boats gliding by. The food is great, including some of the best sushi on the South Jersey shore, and the prices are reasonable. Good Happy Hour specials, too. There's even a band at night. I'd take it over Fitzpartick's any (warm) day.

A - Nothing out of the ordinary here. Mix of locals & weekend visitors. Great TVs, and lots of them.

Q -

S - Bartenders are just OK, no smiles, no conversation ... maybe because I am visiting and not a local.

S - Always have a few good brews, they have the standard lot plus some micros. They had Oscar's Dale Pale on tap when I was there, very good find.

F - I had there three times and each time was GREAT, the cheesesteak was really great. I had another sandwich and some finger food, both were good.

I classified this place as inexpensive it's very hard to get good beer this cheap, especially in Jersey. The food was reasonable as well.

As of note, the management/owner can give you a bit of trouble. Three years ago they asked my girlfriend to leave after 1 drink, they had reason but nothing severe enough to be kicked out of a bar (she had her feet up on an outdoor patio chair). This year they gave us problems again this time with serving food.

It's very hard to find a nice craft beer establishment down at the New Jersey Shore. It's even harder to find one near where you go. Well if you visit Wildwood Crest at all, there is a great place down at the end of the island called the Crest Tavern. I visited it for the first time this summer and was impressed.

A: A small cozy well lit establishment with a nice u shaped bar area. The place is well lit with lots of TVs for sports and lots of great beer wall decoration. This place just screams a friendly atmosphere. The dining area is very small and that was my only negative of the place. There is a nice outdoor patio where you can sit and eat/drink if it is nice. They also have an attached beer/liquor store that is decently stocked with craft beer.

Q: Very good, the food and beer were very solid. The craft taps were the best I have seen in the immediate area with solid craft brews. Food was very good also as we had dinner and drinks.

S: Very good, lots of servers and bus people. Quick delivery of food and drink to your table and at the bar for that matter.